Trial Date Set for Walmart Child Abuse and Child Endangerment Case

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) Trial dates have been set for the parents of two children found bound and blindfolded in a Walmart parking lot in eastern Kansas.

The Douglas County district attorney’s office says Adolfo Gomez, 52, will stand trial on Jan. 7. His wife, Deborah Gomez, 44, is set for trial Feb. 4. The Gomezes, of Northlake, Ill., have pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse and child endangerment.

They were arrested June 13 after Lawrence police found two children, ages 5 and 7, tied up outside the family’s vehicle. Three other older children were inside the SUV unrestrained.

The couple told police they were on their way to Arizona when their car broke down, and that they periodically restrained their children as part of their religion and to ward off demons.